Overview
- The Sussexes landed in Melbourne on Tuesday and opened the visit at the Royal Children’s Hospital, drawing large crowds and evoking comparisons to Princess Diana’s 1985 stop there.
- New South Wales Police confirmed extra security in Sydney and Victoria Police said they would deploy resources as needed, and petitions with more than 43,000 signatures call for the couple to cover any related public costs.
- The itinerary mixes philanthropy with commerce, including Harry’s paid keynote at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne and Meghan’s speaking slot at the “Her Best Life” retreat in Sydney, which offers high-priced tickets and VIP photo packages.
- After meetings with men’s health group Movember in Melbourne on Wednesday, Harry traveled to Canberra to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, while Meghan kept private appointments; their children remained in California.
- They flew to Australia on a Qantas commercial flight and kept a low profile on board, a choice that contrasts with sharp media criticism over taxpayer-funded policing and the couple’s use of paid appearances during the tour.